News Release

Friday, December 5, 2008

UPDATE: Wanted Murderer Nabbed in Las Vegas

Los Angeles: The City of Los Angeles had announced a reward offer of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of murder suspect Adam Quintana.

On November 17, 2008, at around 2:00 a.m., in the 200 block of Breed Street, Adam Quintana bludgeoned his friend, Fernando Garcia to death with a hammer. Quintana then callously dumped the victim’s body in a trash bin and left the area.

UPDATE:

Quintana was taken into custody on November 28, 2008, by Las Vegas Police investigators within 48 hours of holding a news conference seeking the public’s help. He was staying with an acquaintance in an attempt to avoid arrest in Los Angeles. A witness found out Quintana was wanted for murder in Los Angeles as well as the fact that a reward had been posted for his arrest, subsequently notified the Las Vegas Police Department.

Hollenbeck Area Homicide detectives returned Quintana to Los Angeles on December 3, 2008, and he was booked for murder.

“The media coverage and reward played a role in helping us find Quintana so quickly. The combination of the two increased the public awareness, which allowed our witness to notify the Las Vegas Police. I believe the swiftness in which the reward was approved by Councilmember Huizars’ Office helped us. We now have a dangerous murderer off the street,” said Captain Blake Chow.

“Every time I put forth a reward motion after a brutal crime such as this, I am hoping and praying it’ll lead to an arrest, and fortunately this time it did,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “And while the accused will have his day in court, for the sake of Fernando Garcia’s family, I am somberly pleased that they will have a chance for closure.”

Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to call Detectives Negrete or Dugger, Hollenbeck Area Homicide Unit at 323-526-3142. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD. Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, www.lapdonline.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous.